Movable-sign exhibitor



Patented Apr. 5, 1927.

UNITED STA ES ALIEI-IONSO J. GUTIEEREZ, OF DETRQIT,

MOVABLE-SIGN nxnnarron.

Application filed April 25, 1925. Serial No. 25,$2 9.

This invention relates to an improved movable sign exhibitor of the class utilized for automatically displaying the names of streets upon street cars, to obviate the necessity of audibly calling out the names, or otherwise notifying the passengers.

I propose a device, which is automatically driven from the electric motor of the car or a driven shaft, novel means being employed for reducing and proportioning the speed of movement of the car with respect to the movement of the signs designating the names of the streets as they are approached.

It is my object to generally improve upon devices of this class, by providing one including a practical arrangement of gearing and other transmission means for positively proportioning speed of movement ofthe exhibiting sign with respect to the speed of travel of the conveyance upon which it is mounted.

he details of construction constituting the novelty of the invention will become apparent from the following description and drawings.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a sign exhibitor showing the casing, sign reversing means at the bottom, and portions of the sign operating means on the interior.

Figure 2 is a central vertical longitudinal section through Figure 3, parts being shown in elevation.

Figure 3 is an enlarged section, showing the most prominent details of the device.

Figure 4 is a detail perspective view of an important feature of the invention.

In the drawings, the reference character 1 designates a housing in which is a central partition 2, dividing the housing into compartments 3 and 4. The front wall of the front compartment 3 is provided with a window 5, through which the names of the streets are exhibited. Mounted for rotation in this compartment are reels 6 upon which a cloth web 7 is wound. This web has printed or otherwise displayed thereon the names of the streets to be successively and intermittently shown through the window. As more plainly indicated in Figure 1, sprocket wheels are connected to the ends of the shaft of these reels, and sprocket chains 8 are trained thereover. At one end the shaft of the upper reel is provided with a bevelled pinion 9, in which a complemental pinion l0 meshes, in order to. impart rotation to the reel. It will be observed from Figure 3 that the shaft of the pinion 10 extends into the rear compartment 4 and carries the small gear 11, this gear meshing.

with a relatively large spur gear 12. The gear 12 is keyed upon a rotatably mounted shaft 13, and it will be observed that this shaft extends a considerable distance beyond one face of the gear and has an especially constructed toothed element 14, slidably mounted thereon for rotation therewith. It will be noted that this element 14 is pressed toward the stop 15 by a coil spring 16, inter-posed between it and the gear. The particular construction of the element will be described later. Mounted on a stub shaft 17 below the shaft 13 is what may be designated as a spiral 18, the same being rotated under the action of the worm wheel 19, in mesh with the worm 20, on the shaft 21. I would call attention to the fact that the spiral 18 is provided with a screw thread or lit spiral rib 22, and this thread is formed upon v its several convolutions with circumferentially spaced seats 23. It will be observed that opposite the seat the thread is thickened somewhat to provide complemental shoulders 24. Observing now Figure 4, it will be seen that the element 14, which cooperates with this thread comprises a disc 25 provided on one side with a trio of relatively wide teeth 26, and intervening relatively narrow teeth 27. The teeth 27 cooperate with the shoulders 24, while the teeth 26 are adapted for reception in the seats 23. Noting Figure 2, it will be observed that when the spiral 18 is in rotation, the shoulders 24 will-come into engagement with the knurled teeth 27, thus imparting a partial rotation to the elements 14. This partial rotation will serve to align and project the adjacent tooth 27 into the adjacent seat 23. Thus a positive temporary connection will be had between the thread and the element 14, to impart one-third of a revolution to the element and to in turn rotate the gears 12, whereby to operate the reels for turning the web. The operation will be intermittent, successive, and well timed, according to the ratio of the gears and respective driving connections.

In Figure 2 I have shown ameans of transm t n mot on o the haf 1- h me ns may comprise a train of gearing 28, rotated by suitably driven shafts 29. As before stated, this shaft may be connected to any suitable driven part of the conveyance upon which the device is mounted. In fact, it may be connected With an electric motor, operated from the main motor of the conveyance. Any ratio of gearing may be employed in the train 28. Furthermore, appropriate reversing mechanism 30 is associated with the gearing and shaft 31, and an external manually controlled device 31 is employed for setting the reversing mechanism so that the proper names of the streets will appear according to the direction of movement of the conveyance.

It is believed that by carefully considering the foregoing description in connection With the drawing, persons familiar with the structures of this class, will be able to obtain a clear understanding of the same. Therefore, a more lengthy description is thought unnecessary. While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that minor changes coming Within the field of invention may be resorted to, if desired.

I claim:

1. A sign exhibitor of the class described embodying a sign displaying reel, and

means for operating said reelcomprising a rotatably mounted spiral, said spiral includ ing a circular drum having a spiral thread upon its periphery, said thread having its convolutions formed in circumferentially spaced seats and complemental shoulders, a shaft mounted for rotation and extending transversely across said thread, a toothed element slidable upon said shaft and keyed thereto for rotation therewith, the teeth of said element being adapted for successive coaction with said shoulders and seats, and spring means for constantly pressing said element into contact with said thread.

2. In a structure of the class described of a spiral embodying a circular rim provided with a peripheral thread, said thread being of spiral formation and having its conrolutions formed With circumferentially spaced seats and complemental shoulders, and a toothed element cooperative With said spiral, said element comprising a disk provided on one side with tWo sets of radiating teeth for cooperation in the aforesaid seats and shoulders, the teeth of one set being relatively thick and the teeth of the other set being relatively thin.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

ALPHONSO J. GUTIERREZ. 

